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Chicago may have 50 official wards, but there’s a 51st Ward where over 65,000 people reside without a home. In our season premiere, join reporters Jesse Betend, Suzanne Hanney, and A. Allen as they seek out Tom Gordon, the enigmatic “Mayor of Uptown,” to understand the rise of tent cities across Chicago.
What they find is a tightly-knit community formed out of necessity, existing in the shadows of a city that often overlooks them. As they uncover the challenges and conflicts faced by these camps, they also discover the deep bonds that hold them together. But who is Tom Gordon, really? And how did he come to be seen as the leader of this forgotten ward?
As a new tent city springs up nearby, tough questions arise about what communities owe to their most vulnerable members.
Step into the 51st Ward and meet the people who call it home.
Special thanks to Musician Andrew Bird who donated music from his Chicago-inspired, 2013 EP “I Want To See Pulaski At Night” and Block Club Chicago Reporter Joe Ward who broke many of the stories in this episode, also 49th Ward Alderperson Maria Hadden, Erin Ryan, Tom “The Mayor of Uptown” Gordon, and the many encampment residents we interviewed for this story.
CREDITS:
Reported by Jesse Betend, Suzanne Hanney, A. Allen, Kianna Drummond and Keith Hardiman
Produced by Jesse Betend with help from Jennifer O'Neill
Music by Andrew Bird, Jeremy Blake, AETHER, John Patitucci and Freedom Trail Studios
Editing by Suzanne Hanney, Sheila Solomon, Amanda Jones, Julie Youngquist, Terri Lydon and Cindy Paulauskas
About StreetWise magazine
StreetWise has been part of the fabric of Chicago for 31 years, covering everything Chicago from its people to its social issues, politics, nonprofits, arts, culture, and neighborhoods.
Over the past 31 years more than 14,000 StreetWise vendors have found dignity on street corners in many neighborhoods across the city as they are empowered to earn an income with a hand up and not a handout.
About Rivet360
Rivet360 is a business to business podcast agency. It was founded in Chicago in 2013 with a simple mission: Tell the world’s stories, making them engaging and fun. An obsession with elegant solutions and devotion to editorial integrity have been part of the company from day one—along with a flexible, can-do attitude that customers love.
Creators & Guests
What is Where I Stay?
Welcome to the 51st Ward.
Rivet 360 + StreetWise are proud to present a second season of the Shorty Award finalist documentary series, WHERE I STAY, exploring homelessness and the housing crisis in America.
ABOUT SEASON 2:
Welcome to Chicago’s 51st Ward, where the unseen and unheard find a voice.
In Season Two of the Shorty Award finalist documentary series Where I Stay, Rivet 360 + StreetWise delve deep into the heart of Chicago’s housing crisis. As winter’s chill grips the city, thousands are forced to seek shelter wherever they can—many in makeshift communities known as “tent cities.” This season, we explore the roots of these camps, the policies that have left so many without a home, and the challenges of a city grappling with an influx of migrants and a critical lack of affordable housing.
Through the eyes of StreetWise vendors, who have lived the reality of homelessness, and our team of dedicated reporters, we uncover the untold stories of Chicago’s forgotten residents. Our goal is to challenge perceptions, spark conversations, and, most importantly, inspire change.
Join us as we navigate the complex web of segregation, public policy, and community resilience. Together, we’ll ask: What do we owe each other?
Where I Stay isn’t just a podcast—it’s a call to action. Your support can make a difference. Listen, share, and join us in raising awareness and funds to combat homelessness in America.
ABOUT SEASON 1:
Angelica first became homeless at the age of twelve, but she didn't live on the street. Prisons. Vegas condos. The living room of an Iowa drug queen-pin and an inpatient facility for adolescents. This is WHERE I STAY.
Over the course of 8 gripping episodes Host Jesse Betend explores the issue of invisible homelessness through Angelica's story. Season 1 has been called a “wonderfully empathetic telling of a story you will be richer for knowing” and “an incredibly impactful and illuminating podcast about hidden youth homelessness.”
WHERE I STAY is a serialized podcast designed to challenge the way people think about homelessness. Each season dives deep into a single story to unravel the many interconnected threads that can leave someone without a home. The show also serves as a grassroots campaign to raise funds and awareness.
About StreetWise magazine
StreetWise has been part of the fabric of Chicago for 31 years, covering everything Chicago from its people to its social issues, politics, nonprofits, arts, culture, and neighborhoods.
Over the past 31 years more than 14,000 StreetWise vendors have found dignity on street corners in many neighborhoods across the city as they are empowered to earn an income with a hand up and not a handout.
About Rivet360
Rivet360 is a business to business podcast agency. It was founded in Chicago in 2013 with a simple mission: Tell the world’s stories, making them engaging and fun. An obsession with elegant solutions and devotion to editorial integrity have been part of the company from day one—along with a flexible, can-do attitude that customers love.